Drum Roll, please! COMBO is pleased and proud to announce the winners of their 2014 Songwriting Contest. These writers and 21 of their songs will be placed on a CD to be passed out or sent to publishers, music supervisors, record company VIPs, song pluggers, and more. The first CDs will be handed out at the Durango Songwriters Expo being held at the Omni Interlocken Hotel & Resort in Broomfield starting October 2nd. Highest points (1-5, 5 being high) were given by our judges, all people related to the business of music in some way (teacher, performer, manager, publisher, and executive) to the following: 1st Place – Dustin Monk (Lay Me Flat); 2nd Place – Rachel Alena, Alec Simms, Kyle Comerford (Leave Your Light On), and 3rd Place – John Bunzli for his fun and loving song, Cinnamon Toast.
The CD song/track listings in order are:
1. Devil’s Card: Writers – Geoff Union & Jim Harris
2. Cinnamon Toast: Writer – John Bunzli
3. You’ve Got It Down: Writer – David Henning
4. They’ll Play a Little Samba: Writer – Laurie Dameron
5. I Never Lost: Writer – Ryan Chrys
6. Leave Your Light On: Writer – Rachel Alena, Alec Simms, Kyle Comerford
7. Lay Me Flat: Writer – Dustin Monk
8. Victory: Writer – Norman Hittle
9. Take It In: Writers – Adrienne Osborn, Justin Long, Craig DeLeone
10. Castaway: Writer – Mark Risius
11. What We Do: Writers – Jon Portillo, Jenny Lehman
12. Rain: Writer – Sidney Powell
13. Last Lullaby: Writer – Richie Buchborn
14. Autumn Leaves: Writer – Caitlin Powell
15. Nowhere Again: Writers – Zea Stallings
16. Home: Writer – Steve Law
17. Uh-Huh: Writer – Sharon Glassman
18. Rosalie: Writer – Joel Ashmore
19. Thank Goodness: Writers – Olivia Pevec, Mateo Sandate, Frank Martin, Aaron Taylor, Ashton Taufer & Sophia Clark
20. Almost Close: Writers – Gary Dean Smith, Doug Moe, Guido Valeri, Steve Fitzgerald, Mike Hay & Joel Ashmore
21. Gypsy Stomp: Writers – Gordon Lewis & Grace Easley
Our grand prize drawing winner (drawn from all who entered the contest) of a “scholarship” to the Durango Songwriters Expo was Steve Law!
We had a lot of fun doing this and sincerely hope that our efforts will pay off for our unsigned songwriters somewhere down the road – better sooner!
And, most of all, we not only want to thank all the songwriters who entered but we send a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the Durango Songwriters Expo and CODA, Inc. for co-sponsoring our contest. Both businesses are so good to local musicians! If you need some help with your songwriting, check out the DSE sometime. AND if you need any merchandise, promo stuff, or CDs and DVDs, give CODA a call. Their turnaround is quick and perfect.
http://www.coda-inc.com
http://www.durango-songwriters-expo.com
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KATEY LAUREL who has been chosen as a Southwest Regional Finalist in NPR’s Mountain Stage New Song Contest. The voting window for People’s Choice is only open for a week or so. This is an amazing opportunity for Katey because, if chosen, she will get to play Lincoln Center in NYC, Sundance Film Festival, the NPR Mountain Stage and record an EP with Wilco’s producer.
COMBO hopes you’ll take a quick second to vote for her here (no sign-in or sign-up required). Thank you so much!! https://www.newsong-music.com/contest/southwest/
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2015 CO. PERFORMING ARTS JAMBOREE
Greetings Jambers! It’s that time again. Registration is open for the Colorado Performing Arts Jamboree and The Guide to Colorado Performers 2015. Jamboree is January 23, 2015 at Jeffco Fairgrounds. Registration materials are posted on the Venture West website along with explanatory verbiage to lead you through the process. If you have questions call or send a note.
http://venturewest.biz/Info_for_Artists.html
This is a year that we publish and distribute The Guide to Colorado Performers. Being in the Guide is the most important part of the Jamboree. The Guide lasts nearly forever and the software to use it is available to anyone who got through third grade. So get listed! Get gigs!
In addition to getting listed and registering to attend, you may also want to consider being a sponsor. Sponsorships cost $600. Sponsors have benefits! These include: A full page ad in the Guide (premium placement on the covers), logo on the Jamboree web pages – hot-linked to your website, and some kind of special treatment at the Jamboree – a showcase spot or some other special visibility in the exhibit hall.
Call or send a note to discuss the possibilities!
If you are not planning to apply for one of the nine showcase presentations, you may volunteer to sit on the adjudication panel. This is a great way to see how other artists represent themselves and a great way to watch an adjudication panel work, which will also help you design winning proposals in the future. Get in touch if this appeals to you.
Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Jeffco Fairgrounds again in January.
Jim
303-329-6242
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ON-LINE AUDITIONS FOR AMERICAN IDOL ANNOUNCED
Although the live auditions are nearly complete, AI is currently promoting the online auditions. This is a great way to let your followers know that they can still audition for American Idol even if you weren’t able to get to a live audition!
Online AMERICAN IDOL® XIV Audition Information
WHO: Men and women 15-28 years old as of June 1, 2014, who are eligible to work in the U.S. Some restrictions apply – please read the Audition Info for specific information.
WHEN: Open now until Friday, September 26th
HOW: Online auditions can be accessed here.
https://fmna.etribez.com/a/fmna/ai14/welcomeOnline
Online Auditions FAQs:
https://d2gdnenjivcll7.cloudfront.net/resource/1400_faq_5_prod.pdf